Turangi

Things to do in Turangi

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Turangi

View all Attractions
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
2026 Global 50 - Cool Water Escapes

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

8.6
4.5/5
840 reviews

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are limestone caves in the western mountainous area of New Zealand's North Island and an attraction in New Zealand. In Māori, Waitomo means water flowing into a hole. On the cave walls, scattered green points of light layer upon layer, these green glows flicker on the pitch-black water surface, doubling the light and shadow—this is a wondrous world belonging to green sprites. 1.Glowworm caveMainly composed of three distinctive caves, Waitomo Glowworm Caves,Ruakuri cave and Ala Nuoyi cave. Waitomo Glowworm Caves is a limestone cave with a history of over 10,000 years. Originally, there was a small frozen lake on the mountain above the cave. After the ice and snow melted, the water flowed into the rock crevices below and gradually eroded to form the cave as it is today. The Cathedral Cave inside Waitomo Glowworm Caves is a massive rock chamber renowned for its spatial echoes.Ruakuri caveIt is a legendary underground karst cave where you can hear the sound of an underground waterfall.Ala Nuoyi caveThe entrance is the visitor center, and the arched canopy with a membrane structure is quite impressive. 2. To tour the cave with thousands of glowworms, you need to take a small boat into the depths of the cave. Once seated and settled on the boat, the guide will pull the overhead guide rope to propel the boat forward. The strange points of light in the cave are the glow emitted by thousands of glowworms. You will notice patches of greenish-white light on the rocks. Look closely, and beneath the glow are uneven, translucent threads hanging from the cave ceiling. On these threads are crystal-clear droplets like strings of crystal beads. These beautiful, mucus-coated threads are the glowworms' fishing lines, used to attract and prey on insects drawn to the light.

New Zealand · Waitomo Caves

Traveller favourites curated for you

Experiences you can't miss in Turangi

Featured Day tours in Turangi

View all Day tours
Auckland Alpha small group: Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway~Geothermal wonderland~Huka Falls Taupo|Shared transfer private charter optional
󱌍
5.0/5
· 68 reviews· 482 booked
Duration: 12.5 hrs
English
Book now for tomorrow
68 consecutive positive reviews
From€181.20
Tongariro Alpine Crossing with Shuttle Transfers
󱌍
4.8/5
· 115 reviews· 30 booked
Duration: 8–10 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
94.8% of travelers recommend
From€37.63
Taupō: Sail Barbary Eco Sailing to the Maori Rock Carvings
󱌍
4.9/5
· 34 reviews· 52 booked
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
34 consecutive positive reviews
From€29.35
Daily Scenic Maori Rock Carving Cruise Taupo
󱌍
4.6/5
· 177 reviews· 36 booked
Duration: 90 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
90.4% of travelers recommend
From€33.42

Featured Outdoor & sports in Turangi

View all Outdoor & sports
New Zealand Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ + Skyline Rotorua 1-day tour [Auckland round-trip]
󱌍
From€144.81
Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ + Skyline cable car luge 1-day tour buffet lunch
󱌍
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€145.71€153.38
Tongariro River: Grade 3 Whitewater Rafting
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 4 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From€104.85
Redwoods Altitude, Nightlights, Treewalk (day) & Glowworms
󱌍
5.0/5
· 45 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
45 consecutive positive reviews
From€79.87
Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Hiking Trail Roundtrip Shuttle
󱌍
4.7/5
· 88 reviews
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
95.5% of travelers recommend
From€37.63

More things to do

Private Tours in Turangi

View More Private Tours in Turangi
Turangi Today's weatherIntermittent clouds 12-21℃
Turangi weather for the next 2 days11/12: 10-20℃, 11/13: 7-22℃

Free things to do in Turangi

What travellers say about Turangi

user-avatar
张知珩12 November 2020
5.0
Lake Taupo is so big that it looks like a sea. It is a must-see attraction when traveling to the South Island of New Zealand! If you live in the city, you can walk to the lake. There are many sailboats and yachts, and you can play golf directly in the lake. New Zealanders are really good at playing. It is also very comfortable to lie in the green space by the lake and bask in the sun. All hotels are fully booked during the peak travel season, so you must book in advance. There is also a Huka Falls nearby to check in.

Lake Taupo

user-avatar
Anonymous user2 November 2026
4.0
While the meticulous set design, the stunning Waikato rolling hills, and finishing up with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn provide a genuinely charming afternoon, the ticket price and time commitment can certainly feel steep if you aren't emotionally invested in J.R.R. Tolkien's universe or Peter Jackson's films. For die-hard fans, it's an unforgettable pilgrimage, but for casual sightseers, New Zealand offers plenty of incredible natural landscapes that require no prior fandom to appreciate.

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours

user-avatar
mouse1 February 2025
5.0
It's super exciting and highly recommended. Remember to wear a hat. It's very windy, but you will get wet. It's best to wear a hooded windbreaker to block the wind and water. You have to book in advance, otherwise it's easy to get no seats. There are only 17 seats on a boat.

Hukafalls Jet Taupo

user-avatar
_TI***9r7 October 2026
5.0
The guide was so fun and knowledgeable, and everything went smoothly. It was all so beautiful and immersive — I felt completely drawn into the experience. The only downside was that there were no photos, but honestly, that was also one of the best parts! I was able to be fully present and really enjoy it.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

user-avatar
Anonymous user20 October 2026
4.0
This activity is a little thrilling, quite good, and very safe; I checked the safety belt several times. Originally, besides bungee jumping, there was also a skywalk, but due to unclear information in the travel advertisement, we only did the bungee jumping. There weren't many people doing it now. Afterwards, you get a free tour of the Sky Tower.

Sky Tower

user-avatar
Anonymous user4 November 2026
5.0
Overall totally worth the money! Be ready to spend about 2 hours if you want to walk through all three tracks (Walks 1, 2, and 3)—the scenery with the colorful pools and Champagne Pool is completely surreal. Important tip for Lady Knox Geyser: You have to arrive early and make sure you are there before 10:15 AM (it only erupts once per day, so don't miss it!). Give yourself plenty of time to drive over from the main park entrance to the geyser viewing area. Highly recommend adding this to your North Island itinerary!

Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland

Trip Moments in Turangi

Popular cities near Turangi

Frequently asked questions

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Auckland Alpha small group: Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway~Geothermal wonderland~Huka Falls Taupo|Shared transfer private charter optional, Auckland round-trip 1-day tour to Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway + Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland + Huka Falls + Lake Taupo, and Auckland private charter 1-day tour: Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway + geothermal park + Huka Falls + Lake Taupo [Chinese and English]. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 11 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Turangi is around EUR 29.35 – EUR 593.56. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.